CVE-2026-45255

CVE-2026-45255: Remote code execution via installer Wi-Fi access point scans

Vendor Freebsd
Product FreeBSD
Weakness CWE-78
Published May 21, 2026
Last update May 22, 2026

CVSS base score

What the vulnerability does

01Description

When bsdinstall or bsdconfig are prompted to scan for nearby Wi-Fi networks, they build up a list of network names and use bsddialog(1) to prompt the user to select a network. This is implemented using a shell script, and the code which handled network names was not careful to prevent expansion by the shell. As a result, a suitably crafted network name can be used to execute commands via a subshell. The problem can be exploited to execute code as root on the system running bsdinstall or bsdconfig. The attacker would need to create an access point with a specially crafted name and be within range of a Wi-Fi scan. Note that bsdinstall and bsdconfig are vulnerable as soon as the user prompts them to scan for nearby networks; they do not need to actually select the malicious network.

Key dates

02Disclosure timeline

May 21, 2026 CVE published
May 22, 2026 Record updated